Smaller funfair at this weekend's Kenilworth Carnival

The 84th edition of the Kenilworth Carnival is coming to the town on Saturday July 2, but with a smaller funfair than usual.
Kenilworth Carnival. 
MHLC-04-07-15 Carnival NNL-150407-211756009Kenilworth Carnival. 
MHLC-04-07-15 Carnival NNL-150407-211756009
Kenilworth Carnival. MHLC-04-07-15 Carnival NNL-150407-211756009

The poor weather this week has meant Abbey Fields has become particularly muddy, meaning there will be less rides and stalls than usual this year for safety reasons.

But the siege-themed procession involving 13 floats will go ahead as planned whatever the weather.

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Chair of the Carnival Anne Brough said: “We’re working with the district council and the funfair organisers Wilsons to put on a fair for everyone to enjoy. It will be set up on Thursday June 30.”

“There will still be lots of rides for young children and a couple of bigger rides.

“We sincerely hope that the townsfolk and visitors who either come to watch or take part in our annual Carnival have a day to remember.”

The floats will assemble at Kenilworth Castle at 11am for judging by the Carnival Queen, Laura Crawley.

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New mayor Cllr Richard Davies will then award a cup to the float which best exemplifies the siege theme.

The procession will start from the Brays car park by the castle at 1pm, and will continue along Castle Road, High Street, Bridge Street, Waverley Road, Warwick Road, St John’s Street, Randall Road and The Square before finishing at Abbey End at around 2.45pm.

Laura will be joined on the lead float in the procession by maids of honour Helen Monnington and Lucy Mills, Carnival Princess Eleanor Brough, and junior attendants Abigail Staveley, Isabelle White and Morgan Dunn.

Their float will be decorated with shields bearing the coat of arms of Henry III and Simon de Montfort, the leaders of the two opposing forces during the Siege of Kenilworth in 1266.

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There will be a host of activities in Abbey Fields during and after the procession alongside the 21 stalls being run by a variety of Kenilworth organisations and charities.

Coventry Blaze’s cheerleading squad The Crew will be performing at 2.15pm before the procession finishes, and the Stagecoach Theatre Arts theatre group will put on a show at 2.40pm.

3.10pm will see the Shimmy Dancers perform, and audience participation is encouraged.

There will be more chances for the audience to get involved with the entertainment with a martial arts demonstration at 3.30pm followed by a new exercise class led by the Keep Fit Group, based in the Kenilworth Centre, at 3.50pm.

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The Knights of Middle England, a team of professional horsemen and jousters, will engage in mediaeval combat at 4.20pm to tie in with the siege anniversary.

Finally, the winners of the Carnival Grand Draw will be announced at 4.45pm. First prize is a £500 voucher and second prize is a three-course meal for four at Marco’s Kenilworth.

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